What Changes on 6 June 2025?
| Old Regime (2022-5 Jun 2025) | New “Transitional Measures” (6 Jun 2025-2026*) |
|---|---|
| Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) – full duty-free, licence-free access | Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ) under existing DCFTA |
| Some agri-quotas managed by import licences | Most quotas shift to “first-come, first-served” model |
| Unlimited volumes for key agri & steel items | 7/12 of annual TRQ volume open for remainder of 2025 |
*Valid until DCFTA revision is finalised.
Why the Switch?
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Legal Continuity: Prevents a “cliff-edge” when ATMs expire on 5 June.
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Predictability: Paves way for an upgraded DCFTA aligned with Ukraine’s EU-accession roadmap.
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Market Balance: Addresses concerns from EU farmers and steelmakers while keeping Ukrainian exporters in the single market.
Key Points for Exporters
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Quotas Reset on 6 June
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Volumes = 7/12 of normal annual limits (June-Dec).
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Check TARIC for real-time balance.
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Licence Exemptions
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Former licence-based quotas (e.g., poultry, sugar) now licence-free until new DCFTA is signed.
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Steel & Iron Boost
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European Parliament approved preferential steel regime starting 6 June—no safeguard duties within quota.
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First-Come, First-Served (FCFS) Rules
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File customs entry early; allocation is timestamp-based at EU border.
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Practical Checklist
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HS Code & Quota Lookup: Monitor DG-TAXUD quota database daily.
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Origin Documentation: Ensure EUR.1 certificates or REX statements are ready.
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Logistics Timing: Plan shipments to land just after 00:00 CET on 6 June for FCFS slots.
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Customs Brokers: Brief agents on licence waivers to avoid unnecessary paperwork.
Looking Ahead: DCFTA 2.0
Balázs Ujvári, EC Spokesperson:
“Our aim is long-term predictability for EU and Ukrainian operators, fully consistent with Ukraine’s future membership.”
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Scope: Extended tariff liberalisation, streamlined SPS/RoO chapters, integrated digital customs.
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Timeline: Negotiations run through 2025-26; final text expected ahead of EU-Ukraine accession talks.
